“In our parks the springs still set a scene that lets you
imagine with some accuracy how it must have been before your memories
started, what it was like before there were interstates and jets and
skyscrapers, when native Americans or Spanish conquistadors knelt and
drank from waters that looked very much like this.”
Al
Burt
We
decided to go back to Magnolia Springs State Park to see this
beautiful spring since we have been in a drought and Joe figured it
would be the perfect time to see the spring. The last time we went
there it was disappointing since the water was not clear and the
color was not as brilliant due to all the rain. We drove around an
hour to get to this gem of a park that was built by the Civilian
Conservation Corps and opened in 1939 and is located between Millen
and Perkins, Georgia.
When
we arrived. we walked on the boardwalk that goes over part of the
spring and gazed upon all its glory. Joe was so right. The springs
couldn’t have been more beautiful. The colors were spectacular
and the spring was crystal clear. There was a lot of natural growth
in the lake on this visit but as I said, the spring itself was
stunning. We saw lots of fish swimming around the spring and many
turtles seeming to do a happy dance in water. They were so graceful
and plentiful. Over 7 million gallons of water flows out of a hole
that is 18 feet below the surface bubbling up to make this a most
spectacular site. So our advice to all is to go see this spring
when there has not been rain for a while.
This
state park has over a thousand acres and is just lovely with
beautiful trees offering nice shade and making it cooler in the
picnic areas and playground. Today there were lots of people
picnicking and grilling out at the park. The Spanish moss decorating
the branches gives it that southern feel and is lovely. The splash
pad was cooling off the children that were visiting there and with
the temperature today, June first at about 94 degrees, it was much
needed. It looked like fun and I almost went running through to
cool off. The children would have probably thought that was
hysterical, a grand-mom running through the water getting soaking
wet.
This
time while walking around, Joe noticed a fenced in area and so we
walked up to see what was there. It was Gopher Tortoise which is
Georgia Official Reptile and is protected by law. That was pretty
neat to see. He came out of his resting place and just stared at us.
Have a happy day tortoise.
When
we got to the 28 acre lake towards the back of the park, we saw all
the beautiful lily pads in full bloom. There were a few people out on
the rental paddle boats just taking it easy and enjoying the day.
There is a nice fishing dock but no one was there when we rode by.
The campground up against one side of the lake and there are eight
rental cabins, some on the lake and some scattered around the park.
The campground is set up perfectly with lots of shade and the rental
cabins looked very nice and well kept. The cabins were all booked
the day we were there and the campground was pretty full also.
There is no swimming here because this is alligator country.
There
are eight picnic shelters that are well kept if you want to have a
nice picnic. We still have to do that one time when we come to
visit this park, but this visit was a spur of the moment decision and
we didn’t plan on it. We will do that another time. We hiked a
couple trails and we just love the calm natural beauty of the trails.
No one else was on the trail we were on and it was so peaceful with
a nice breeze blowing through the woods. It actually felt nice even
with it being as hot as it was that day.
At
one time this land was called Camp Lawton and was used a POW prison
camp during 1864. It was designed to hold 40,000 prisons in an
enclosed 42 acres. They brought the Confederate POW’s from the
Andersonville Prison in Andersonville, Georgia which didn’t have a
good water source and many prisoners had died from the awful
conditions there. They surely didn’t have that problem here with
the fresh spring water.
Walking
along the bank of the lake near the spring, we spotted an alligator
in the water. All we could see was his tail and his eyes when he
looked up. He looked content being submerged in the cool water.
We
were lucky by going to the spring that day as there was a group of
antique car owners who had gotten together for a picnic and displayed
their cars. There were some beauties. How lucky were we to get to
see that. What a nice added bonus. We enjoy looking at the
beautifully restored vehicles.
We
had a nice visit and had to say farewell to this park again. It is
worth your trip and it is an inexpensive day. It only cost our car
five dollars to get in. It is so worth it. Go check them out.
Bye for now.
“Nature
surrounds us, from parks and backyards to streets and alleyways.
Next time you go out for a walk, tread gently and remember that we
are both inhabitants and stewards or nature in our neighborhoods.”
David
Suzuki
#GeorgiaStateParks #NaturalSpringsInGeorgia #BeautifulAndHistoricStateParkGeorgia
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